Sword demonstration in Hoi An next month

Japanese swordsmen will demonstrate a traditional sword performance at the Japanese Bridge in the annual Hoi An - Japan Cultural Festival next month.

In its 10-year celebration, the festival will feature Japanese and Vietnamese artists performing in programs of Tate (Japanese stage combats in which Japanese swords are usually used), a concert by Japanese singer Mika Kabayashi and a sushi night, plus other interesting events.

During the main festival on August 26-28, the professional Tate sword performance group will show the unique and detailed sword moves and high-level techniques. Meanwhile, Mika Kabayashi, who has done various live music concerts in Japan, Italy and Germany, will give a solo performance as she did in Florence, Italy.

Hoi An, located in the South Central Coast, was once a bustling trading port of Southeast Asia and received many merchants from Japan, China, India and Netherlands. The former harbor town still retains a rich Japanese culture and history. The Japanese bridge was built to link the Japanese side of town with the Chinese quarter, which is Hoi An's signature landmark and used as the emblem of the city."

The festival is jointly organized by Hoi An City, the Japanese Embassy, the Japanese foundation, the Japan International Cooperation Agency, Showa women's university, and Japanese residents in Viet Nam to commemorate the Japanese community’s contribution to the rise of Hoi An.